‘Try Sled Hockey for Free’ event enjoyed by many

HALLOWELL — The Skating Association of Maine on March 31 hosted the region’s first ever “Try Sled Hockey for Free” event at the Camden National Bank Ice Vault.
The event included complimentary equipment courtesy of USA Hockey for children ages 3 to 18. The New England Warriors sled ice hockey team and staff provided instruction and education for participants.

The event was made possible by a partnership with the Skating Association of Maine, USA Hockey and the New England Warriors. The goal of the free event was to promote “Hockey is For Everyone.” USA Hockey shipped all the equipment from their headquarters in Colorado to Maine to provide attendees the chance to try the sport. SAM volunteers and members of the New England Warriors team were on hand to help those in wheelchairs and other physical challenges get in the sleds and learn how to use them. The event attracted more than 20 families and their children who played the spot of sled hockey. “Playing sled hockey gives these kids the opportunity to be like their friends who can just throw on skates and go. Having a sled hockey team or even just clinics for these kids who have special needs is an opportunity for them to get to be like their friends,” said Nicole Ramsdell, team manager of the New England Sled Warriors hockey team. “Now they get to school and tell their friends who maybe play hockey or figure skate that they went ice skating this weekend. They get to share something that they both are able to do; it’s a little different, but it’s still being able to do what their friends can do,”
The New England Warriors are a chapter of the USA Warriors, The USA and New England Warriors is a program designed for the rehabilitation of wounded, ill and injured service members and Veterans. The non-profit organization is dedicated to educating, training, motivating, and encouraging the formation of “USA Warrior Hockey Programs” locally and nationally while encouraging Active Duty Military, Reserves and Veterans who have physical disabilities incurred during service to the United States to participate in the sport of ice hockey in an environment that is adapted to the level of their ability. “This event was a huge success. I think for all the volunteers and parents, it was inspiring and incredibly rewarding to see the smiles on the faces of all the kids on the ice today. We are grateful for the New England Warriors and USA Hockey for supporting this event and we are hoping to raise more funds and awareness for our program to plan more types of these events in the future,” said SAM Hockey Steering committee member Kevin Rousseau.
The Skating Association of Maine is a nonprofit 501(c) organization that encourages and promotes ice skating programs in the state of Maine. For more information, visit www.maineskaters.com.

PHOTO: Christy Gardner, president and co-founder of the New England Warriors stands behind some of the participants from the sled hockey event at the Camden National Bank Ice Vault. (Submitted photo)